← Latinum Institute Latin Reading Course
This lesson introduces the important verb "dō dare dedī datum" meaning "to give." This is a highly frequent and irregular first conjugation verb.
26.1 magister the teacher sedet sits in in hortō the garden et and dat gives librōs books discipulīs to the students
26.2 ego I saepe often dō give pecūniam money pauperibus to the poor
26.3 rēx the king vult wishes dare to give novās new lēgēs laws populō to the people
26.4 māter the mother semper always dat gives bona good cōnsilia advice līberīs to the children suīs her
26.5 nōs we demus should give grātiās thanks dīs to the gods immortālibus immortal
26.6 dux the general dedit gave magna great praemia rewards mīlitibus to the soldiers fortibus brave
26.7 tū you dabis will give haec these dōna gifts amīcō to the friend tuō your
26.8 servus the slave dat gives cibum food equō to the horse dominī of the master
26.9 agricola the farmer dedit gave frūmentum grain mercātōrī to the merchant
26.10 senātor the senator dabit will give pecūniam money templō to the temple
26.11 pater the father dat gives librum a book fīliō to the son sapiēns wise
26.12 nautae the sailors dedērunt gave sacra sacred offerings Neptūnō to Neptune
26.13 ego I tibi to you auxilium help dabō will give mox soon
26.14 poēta the poet carmina poems nova new populō to the people dat gives
26.15 virī the men dant give vōta vows deae to the goddess magnae great
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26.1 Magister sedet in hortō et librōs discipulīs dat. The teacher sits in the garden and gives books to the students.
26.2 Ego saepe pecūniam pauperibus dō. I often give money to the poor.
26.3 Rēx novās lēgēs populō dare vult. The king wishes to give new laws to the people.
26.4 Māter semper bona cōnsilia līberīs suīs dat. The mother always gives good advice to her children.
26.5 Nōs grātiās dīs immortālibus demus. We should give thanks to the immortal gods.
26.6 Dux magna praemia mīlitibus fortibus dedit. The general gave great rewards to the brave soldiers.
26.7 Tū haec dōna amīcō tuō dabis. You will give these gifts to your friend.
26.8 Servus cibum equō dominī dat. The slave gives food to the master's horse.
26.9 Agricola frūmentum mercātōrī dedit. The farmer gave grain to the merchant.
26.10 Senātor pecūniam templō dabit. The senator will give money to the temple.
26.11 Pater librum fīliō sapiēns dat. The wise father gives a book to his son.
26.12 Nautae sacra Neptūnō dedērunt. The sailors gave sacred offerings to Neptune.
26.13 Ego tibi auxilium mox dabō. I will give you help soon.
26.14 Poēta carmina nova populō dat. The poet gives new poems to the people.
26.15 Virī vōta deae magnae dant. The men give vows to the great goddess.
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26.1 Magister sedet in hortō et librōs discipulīs dat.
26.2 Ego saepe pecūniam pauperibus dō.
26.3 Rēx novās lēgēs populō dare vult.
26.4 Māter semper bona cōnsilia līberīs suīs dat.
26.5 Nōs grātiās dīs immortālibus demus.
26.6 Dux magna praemia mīlitibus fortibus dedit.
26.7 Tū haec dōna amīcō tuō dabis.
26.8 Servus cibum equō dominī dat.
26.9 Agricola frūmentum mercātōrī dedit.
26.10 Senātor pecūniam templō dabit.
26.11 Pater librum fīliō sapiēns dat.
26.12 Nautae sacra Neptūnō dedērunt.
26.13 Ego tibi auxilium mox dabō.
26.14 Poēta carmina nova populō dat.
26.15 Virī vōta deae magnae dant.
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For English speakers learning Latin, the verb "dō" presents several important features: -
Principal Parts: -
First person singular present: dō (I give) -
Present infinitive: dare -
Perfect: dedī -
Supine: datum -
Special Characteristics: -
Unlike most first conjugation verbs, "dare" has a short 'a' -
Forms a compound with many prepositions (e.g., reddō - give back) -
Takes double objects: direct object in accusative, recipient in dative -
Common Forms: Present Tense: -
dō - I give -
dās - you give -
dat - he/she/it gives -
damus - we give -
datis - you (pl.) give -
dant - they give
Future Tense: -
dabō - I will give -
dabis - you will give -
dabit - he/she/it will give -
dabimus - we will give -
dabitis - you (pl.) will give -
dabunt - they will give -
Usage Notes for English Speakers: -
Always uses dative for recipient (unlike English "give to") -
Word order more flexible than English -
Can be used metaphorically like English "give"
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Understanding "dō" requires knowledge of Roman cultural practices: -
Social Context: -
Giving was central to Roman social relationships -
Gifts created social obligations (dō ut dēs - I give so that you might give) -
Different types of gifts had different social meanings -
Religious Context: -
Offerings to gods (dōna) -
Votive gifts at temples -
Sacrificial offerings -
Political Context: -
Public giving (bread and circuses) -
Patronage system -
Military rewards -
Modern Connections: -
Root of English "donate", "donor" -
Similar to modern gift-giving customs -
Different social implications
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Part F-A (Interleaved Text)
From Vergil's Aeneid (1.409):
dēsine cease fāta the fates deum of the gods flectī to be changed sperāre to hope for precandō by praying; data given sunt are quae which things sunt are
Dēsine fāta deum flectī sperāre precandō; data sunt quae sunt. Cease hoping that the fates of the gods can be changed by praying; what is given is given.
This line uses the perfect passive participle "data" to express the unchangeable nature of fate. It demonstrates how "dō" can be used philosophically to discuss destiny and divine will.
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"data sunt" - perfect passive from "dō" -
Neuter plural to express general concept -
Part of relative clause "quae sunt" -
Shows philosophical use of the verb
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Here are the translations of these Latin sentences about religious offerings:
26.16 The priest gives great gifts to Jupiter in the temple.
26.17 The people give incense to all the gods.
26.18 The Vestal Virgin gives sacred flowers to the goddess Vesta.
26.19 The farmers gave the first fruits to Ceres.
26.20 The king wishes to give golden vessels to the temple of Apollo.
26.21 The sailors will give grateful votive gifts to Neptune.
26.22 The matrons gave precious jewels to Juno.
26.23 The senators give great sacrifices to the immortal gods.
26.24 The poet gives a new song to the Muses.
26.25 The merchant gave a share of profit to Mercury.
26.26 The maiden gives fresh flowers to the altar of Minerva.
26.27 The consul will give sacred victims to the temple.
26.28 The farmers gave new grain to Ceres.
26.29 The boys give first libations to the Lares.
26.30 The priests give annual vows to all the gods.
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These sentences follow a consistent pattern of [Subject] + [Object] + [Recipient (dative)] + [Verb], demonstrating the dative case for indirect objects in religious contexts. ✾ ❦ ✾ ❦ ✾ ✾ ❦ ✾ ❦ ✾ ✾ ❦ ✾ ❦ ✾
26.16 Sacerdōs magna dōna Iovī in templō dat. The priest gives great gifts to Jupiter in the temple.
26.17 Populus tūra deīs omnibus dant. The people give incense to all the gods.
26.18 Vestālis flōrēs sacrōs deae Vestae dat. The Vestal Virgin gives sacred flowers to the goddess Vesta.
26.19 Agricolae prīmōs frūctūs Cererī dedērunt. The farmers gave the first fruits to Ceres.
26.20 Rēx aurea vāsa templō Apollinis dare vult. The king wishes to give golden vessels to the temple of Apollo.
26.21 Nautae gratī votīva dōna Neptūnō dabunt. The grateful sailors will give votive gifts to Neptune.
26.22 Mātrōnae gemmās pretiōsās Iūnōnī dedērunt. The matrons gave precious jewels to Juno.
26.23 Senātōrēs magna sacrificia dīs immortālibus dant. The senators give great sacrifices to the immortal gods.
26.24 Poēta carmen novum Mūsīs dat. The poet gives a new song to the Muses.
26.25 Mercātor partem lucrī Mercuriō dedit. The merchant gave part of his profit to Mercury.
26.26 Virgō flōrēs recentēs ārae Minervae dat. The maiden gives fresh flowers to the altar of Minerva.
26.27 Cōnsul victimās sacrās templō dabit. The consul will give sacred victims to the temple.
26.28 Agricolae frūmentum novum Cererī dedērunt. The farmers gave new grain to Ceres.
26.29 Puerī lībāmina prīma Laribus dant. The boys give first libations to the Lares.
26.30 Sacerdōtēs vōta annua deīs omnibus dant. The priests give annual vows to all the gods.
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26.16 Sacerdōs magna dōna Iovī in templō dat.
26.17 Populus tūra deīs omnibus dant.
26.18 Vestālis flōrēs sacrōs deae Vestae dat.
26.19 Agricolae prīmōs frūctūs Cererī dedērunt.
26.20 Rēx aurea vāsa templō Apollinis dare vult.
26.21 Nautae gratī votīva dōna Neptūnō dabunt.
26.22 Mātrōnae gemmās pretiōsās Iūnōnī dedērunt.
26.23 Senātōrēs magna sacrificia dīs immortālibus dant.
26.24 Poēta carmen novum Mūsīs dat.
26.25 Mercātor partem lucrī Mercuriō dedit.
26.26 Virgō flōrēs recentēs ārae Minervae dat.
26.27 Cōnsul victimās sacrās templō dabit.
26.28 Agricolae frūmentum novum Cererī dedērunt.
26.29 Puerī lībāmina prīma Laribus dant.
26.30 Sacerdōtēs vōta annua deīs omnibus dant.
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In these religious contexts, the verb "dō" demonstrates several important grammatical features: -
Religious Vocabulary: -
dōna (gifts) - specifically religious offerings -
tūra (incense) - plural form common in ritual contexts -
vōta (vows) - religious promises -
lībāmina (libations) - ritual pouring of liquids -
Case Usage: -
Direct object in accusative (what is given) -
Deity in dative case (to whom it is given) -
Descriptive adjectives agree with their nouns -
Temples often in dative or "in" + ablative -
Time Expressions: -
Perfect tense for completed offerings (dedērunt) -
Present for regular/repeated offerings (dant) -
Future for promised offerings (dabunt) -
Word Order: -
Deity names often placed in emphatic positions -
Adjectives frequently precede nouns in formal religious language -
Verb often final in solemn religious contexts -
Special Religious Constructions: -
Use of ritual epithets (dī immortālēs) -
Sacred objects often modified by sacer/sacra/sacrum -
Formal religious titles (Vestālis, sacerdōs)
This specialized vocabulary and syntax reflects the formal nature of Roman religious observance.
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26.16 sacerdōs the priest magna great dōna gifts Iovī to Jupiter in in templō the temple dat gives
26.17 populus the people tūra incense deīs to the gods omnibus all dant give
26.18 vestālis the Vestal Virgin flōrēs flowers sacra sacred deae to the goddess Vestae Vesta dat gives
26.19 agricolae the farmers prīmōs first frūctūs fruits Cererī to Ceres dedērunt gave
26.20 rēx the king aurea golden vāsa vessels templō to the temple Apollinis of Apollo dare to give vult wishes
26.21 nautae the sailors gratī grateful votīva votive dōna gifts Neptūnō to Neptune dabunt will give
26.22 mātrōnae the matrons gemmas jewels pretiōsās precious Iūnōnī to Juno dedērunt gave
26.23 senātōrēs the senators magna great sacrificia sacrifices dīs to the gods immortālibus immortal dant give
26.24 poēta the poet carmen song novum new Mūsīs to the Muses dat gives
26.25 mercātor the merchant partem part lucrī of profit Mercuriō to Mercury dedit gave
26.26 virgo the maiden flōrēs flowers recentēs fresh ārae to the altar Minervae of Minerva dat gives
26.27 cōnsul the consul victimās victims sacrās sacred templō to the temple dabit will give
26.28 agricolae the farmers frūmentum grain novum new Cererī to Ceres dedērunt gave
26.29 puerī the boys lībāmina libations prima first Laribus to the Lares dant give
26.30 sacerdōtēs the priests vōta vows annua annual deīs to the gods omnibus all dant give
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26.31 Dat Cornēlia suīs līberīs poma dulcia prīmā lūce. Cornelia gives sweet apples to her children at first light.
26.32 Mārcus sorōrī parvae quam amat nōvam pilam laetus dedit. Happy Marcus gave a new ball to his little sister, whom he loves.
26.33 Cum Iūlia flōrēs in hortō legeret, subitō dedit trēs rosās mātrī. When Julia was gathering flowers in the garden, she suddenly gave three roses to mother.
26.34 Servī cēnam iam parant et mox cibōs optimōs dominis dabunt. The slaves are now preparing dinner and soon will give the best foods to their masters.
26.35 Quīntus patrī dōnum dare volēbat, sed nihil habēbat. Quintus wanted to give a gift to father, but had nothing.
26.36 "Plūrimās grātiās tibi dō," inquit pater, cum fīlius carmina recitāvisset. "I give you very many thanks," said father, when his son had recited poems.
26.37 Māter festīnāns dat togam novam Mārcō quī ad lūdum properāre dēbet. Mother, hurrying, gives a new toga to Marcus who ought to hurry to school.
26.38 Subitō appāruit avunculus quī puerīs multōs nummōs dederat. Suddenly appeared uncle who had given many coins to the boys.
26.39 "Dabō aureum anulum meae fīliae," dīxit māter, "sī bene laborābit." "I will give a golden ring to my daughter," said mother, "if she will work well."
26.40 Cornēlia ancillae fessae paululum vīnī dedit post labōrem. Cornelia gave a little wine to the tired maidservant after the work.
26.41 Lūdunt puerī in ātriō et pilam sibi invicem dant. The boys play in the atrium and give the ball to each other in turn.
26.42 Tum magister librōs discipulīs dedit et legendī tempus iīs dat. Then the teacher gave books to the students and gives them reading time.
26.43 Ōlim avus Mārcō gladium dederat quem nunc fīliō dare vult. Once grandfather had given Marcus a sword which now he wishes to give to his son.
26.44 Ecce venit vicīna quae semper parvīs dulcia dat. Look, here comes the neighbor who always gives sweets to the little ones.
26.45 Māne Iūlia aquam flōribus dedit quōs hesternō diē in hortō posuerat. In the morning Julia gave water to the flowers which she had placed in the garden yesterday.
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26.31 Dat Cornēlia suīs līberīs poma dulcia prīmā lūce.
26.32 Mārcus sorōrī parvae quam amat nōvam pilam laetus dedit.
26.33 Cum Iūlia flōrēs in hortō legeret, subitō dedit trēs rosās mātrī.
26.34 Servī cēnam iam parant et mox cibōs optimōs dominis dabunt.
26.35 Quīntus patrī dōnum dare volēbat, sed nihil habēbat.
26.36 "Plūrimās grātiās tibi dō," inquit pater, cum fīlius carmina recitāvisset.
26.37 Māter festīnāns dat togam novam Mārcō quī ad lūdum properāre dēbet.
26.38 Subitō appāruit avunculus quī puerīs multōs nummōs dederat.
26.39 "Dabō aureum anulum meae fīliae," dīxit māter, "sī bene laborābit."
26.40 Cornēlia ancillae fessae paululum vīnī dedit post labōrem.
26.41 Lūdunt puerī in ātriō et pilam sibi invicem dant.
26.42 Tum magister librōs discipulīs dedit et legendī tempus iīs dat.
26.43 Ōlim avus Mārcō gladium dederat quem nunc fīliō dare vult.
26.44 Ecce venit vicīna quae semper parvīs dulcia dat.
26.45 Māne Iūlia aquam flōribus dedit quōs hesternō diē in hortō posuerat.
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This narrative demonstrates several key features of how "dō" functions in everyday Latin: -
Varied Word Order: -
Initial verb for emphasis: "Dat Cornēlia..." (26.31) -
Medial placement: "Mārcus sorōrī parvae... pilam dedit" (26.32) -
Final position in subordinate clauses: "...quī puerīs multōs nummōs dederat" (26.38) -
Tense Usage: -
Present: for ongoing or habitual giving -
Perfect: for completed acts of giving -
Pluperfect: for giving that happened before other past events -
Future: for promises or intentions -
Complex Constructions: -
Temporal cum clauses: "cum Iūlia flōrēs... legeret" (26.33) -
Relative clauses: "quae semper parvīs dulcia dat" (26.44) -
Conditional statements: "sī bene laborābit" (26.39) -
Typical Contexts: -
Family gifts -
Daily routines -
Promises and rewards -
Household management -
Social interactions
This narrative shows how "dō" naturally appears in family life, with more authentic word order and varied usage than simple subject-object-verb patterns.
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